Review the descriptions of the different forms of Protestantism. Which one do you think is most unusual? Which one do you think is most similar to Roman Catholicism. Explain your answers with depth.

Answer 1

Episcopal Church is most similar to Catholic. Similar theology, priests dress the same.

Historically it split off from Catholicism only due to divorce. Episcopalians allow two marriages, one divorce. Catholic allow only one marriage and no divorces. But Catholics do annulments, which is ver similar to divorce.

less well known is Episcopalians have confession and nuns, once a lifetime confession, not before taking Communion, and a few nuns, but far less than Catholics. Both do infant baptism, by sprinkling, unlike Baptists who do only adult full immersion baptism. Catholics believe in apostolic succession, and believe Episcopal baptism and confirmation by Episcopal clergy may be sufficient, but they aren't certain. Catholics have a celibate clergy and and do not allow priests to marry. But if a married Episcopalian priest converts to Catholicism, he's allowed to keep his wife.

Episcopalians and Catholics use alcoholic wine, while Baptists Methodists use non-alcoholic grape juice.

Lutherans are also similar, but believe in consubstantiation, instead of transubstantiation. Lutherans believe Jesus is present in spirit with the wine and bread at Communion,. Catholics believe the wine literally transforms into Jesus' blood and the wine into his flesh.

Baptists and evangelicals rely solely on the Bible. Catholics also rely on tradition. Baptists also have "soul liberty," freedom of the believer to find their own beliefs. Similar to Quakers (Friends') Inner Light. Baptists, Lutherans believe in salvation by faith. Catholics and Mormons believe in salvation by faith and works.

Liberal christians include Presbyterian USA and Disciples of Christ, more into social justice than personal individual salvation or evangelism. Liberal Protestants tend to approve of gay marriage. Conservative Protestants generally don't.

Pentecostals believe in speaking in tongues as confirmation. They include Four Square Church from Aimee Semple McPherson and Azusa Street Los Angeles. Also Assemblies of God. Both had female clergy and leaders, unlike Catholics and fundamentalist Protestants. 7th Day Adventists and Christian Science were also founded by women. Pentecostals however do arise in virtually all christian denominations. Among Catholics they're called "charismatics."

Several 7th Day churches include SDA, Church of God 7th Day, and 7th Day Baptists, all meeting on Friday evening or Saturday before sundown, not on Sunday.

Jehovah's Witnsses and Mormons, along with SDA have been the most anti-Catholic, along with Bob Jones University or Norman Vincent Peale who opposed JFK as president due to his being Catholic.

SDA has a 2nd set of writings, by its founder Ellen G. White. Some SDA sects view her writings as on a par with the Bible.

JV's have their own Bible translation, deny the Trinity and see Jesus as a deity, but a lesser deity than Jehovah. JV's view the Holy Spirit as a force, but not as a Prerson. Mormons have their own extra Biblical revelations, the Book of Mormon. They also believe Indians are lost tribes of Israel. Up until the 1970s, they didn't allow black priests, and they excommunicate those who are too feminist or support the ERA. Fundamentalist Mormons, such as Warren Jeffs, practiced polygamy. Jeffs went to prison for sex with underage girls.

the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) are often accused of being polytheistic, with 3 Gods, and 3 Persons, while the standard orthodox view is 1 God, 3 Persons. In the film the "Godmakers" Mormons seem to believe that they become Gods and Goddesses themselves after death. Mormons seem to deny that though. Mormons have extensive ancestry records and practice baptism by proxy of deceased people. That's been similarly controversial.

Mormons have an upaid clergy. They support themselves, and do church responsibilities without renumeration.

Mennonites and Amish avoid modern conveniences and the most pacifist christian groups. SDA and JW's avoid military service. JW's won't stand or salute the flag, or vote. JW's have been date setters for the 2nd Coming of Jesus. First they claimed 1914, then various later dates. JW's have a novel view of Revelation's 144,000 and they work to become one of these select few.

Various independent nondenominational christians groups include the Vineyard (another pentecostal group) and Calvary Chapel. founded by Chuck Smith and Lonnie, a Jesus look alike. They led the "Jesus Revolution" in the 1970's in California, doing baptisms in the Pacific Ocean. Appealing to laid back younger groups.

The Liberal Catholic Church split from Roman Catholicism when the Pope made his infallibility a dogma.

Another Catholic dogma on Mary's immaculate conception and assumption, and prayers to saints distinguishes Catholics from Protestants. Some Catholics view Mary as a "coredeemer" with Jesus.

Protestants can also be divided over church organization, hierarchy vs. congregationalists, from which Congregationalists get their name. Catholicism is the most hierarchical. Somngre Protestant Churches have the congregation hire and fire their pastors. Others have the pastor in control, including excommunicating members of the Congregation.

Benny Hinn and Pentecostals are into healing, miracles. Cathollics have Lourdes and miracles, often associated with saints. Catholics have Fatinma's prophecies as well as the Virgin Mary giving more prophecies in Yugoslavia. Baptists and most Protestants down play miracles and prophecies.

JW's and Church of God 7th Day don't do Christmas, which they consider a Catholic pagan holiday. JW's don't like the term "Church" and call their meeting places "Kingdom Halls." Like Quakers call theirs "Meetings"

Catholics believe in 7 sacraments: baptism, confirmation, ordination or Holy Orders, marriage, last rites or annointing of th sick, Eucharist, Penance & Confession. Protestants range from zero to less than 7 sacaments, and may call them ordinances rather than sacraments. Seventh Day Adventists have foot washing.

Catholics and most Protestants have some version of "baptismal regeneration," with the act of baptism having a supernatural effect. For Southern Baptists, the act of baptism is purely symbolic with no supernaturalism involved.

but consult any of the above churches or memembers and more, they may have very different perspectives in what they believe and how they differ from Catholics or are like them. Lately evangelics and Catholics have come closer together over the issue of abortion. Episcopalians used to be known as the Protestant Episcopal Church. They modernly dropped "Protestant" from their name. Episcopalians use the Apostle's Creed. Catholics the Nicene Creed.

Messianic Jews are believers in Jesus (Yeshua) as the Messiah, but tend to follow more traditional Jewish practices otherwise. JW's similarly avoid the term "Christian."